KITCHENER.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1131, 11 March 1910, Page 2

KITCHENER.

New Zealand's Defence

HIS EEPOKT.

Mr Massey's Objections.

Mistake to go Beyond 1909 Expenditure.

Go on With Last Years Act.

Make Haste Slowly.

-lilt PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, March 10. Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of tho Opposition, to-day stated, when asked for mi interview on Lord Kitchener', report, that he had not had an opportunity yet of thoroughly studying Lord Kitchener's recommendations, but he consented to state his views with regard to the main principles of the proposals. ! T supported the Defence Act of last session," said Mr Massey, "bocause 1 felt that we ought to do a great ileal more than we had been doing in the way of defence, and I am anxious that we should as far as possible take advantage of the advice I and experience of the distinguished l ■soldier, who has just visited this country. 1 think, however, that it- would be a serious mistake at present to go beyond the expenditure contemplated by the Act of 1909, or to increase the age for military training. I notice that the Minister for Defence estimates that the maximum cost of Kitchener's scheme at £470,000 per an- "\"»- T ? that we have to add £100,----000 as the annual subsidy to the Imperial Navy, and interest and sinking fund m connection with the Dreadnought, estimated at £150,000 per annum. S ay £750,000 in all. Can the Dominion afford this at present? I think not. I consider we should «-o on with the Act of last year, amending it where it requires amendment, ■and at the same time work on the hues laid down by Lord Kitchener, but subject to the Defence expenditure being kept down to as nearly bait a million per annum as possible. 1 am quite certain that if we launch out into an extravagant scheme there will be a reaction, and we shall lose the ground we have gained. In regard to the proposal for increasing the age for .military training, Mr Massey said: "I a_ sure this would also be a mistake. Many people do not look favourably on compulsory training up to 21, but if we increase the age- to 26 as suggested there will be a dislocation of certain industries, and, consequently, trouble, and I for one cannot agree to the proposal. The Minister for Defence says that the new suggestions can be given effect to without increasing the taxation, but do not let" us forget that larliament increased the taxation last year by :-proximately half a million a year, and on the understanding that the increases in Customs to be only temporary, Parliament and the people will expect that promise to be kept, and, if adhered to there would be a doubt about our abilty to finance the new scheme.'^ In regard to the suggestion that Australia, and New Zealand should adopt homogenous military systems, Mr Massey said that this proposal was obviously a sound one. "The two countries," he said, "should so arrange their defences as to be able to co-operate in time of danger, aa it is quite certain that in the event of trouble they would have to stand or fall together. The proposal that we send our cadets to be instructed at the Australian Military College is ■manifestly also a good one. I agree with tho Prime Minister that this is not a party question. It is above party. Lord Kitchener's advice' to not allow personal considerations to stand in the way of efficiency must also, of course, be followed, if "we expect to build up a sound system of defence." (In conclusion, Mr Massey said: "The country as a whole is willing to vdo its duty from an imperial point of view, but the new proposals, and even the provisons in the new Defence Act, are largely experimental, and I think we are much more likely to do the right thing in the way of our duty to the Empire and our own country if, we avoid plunging and make haste slowly." (Received .larch 10, 5.20 a,in.) Sydney, March'lo. The Herald, commenting on Lord Kitchener's report for New Zealand, says that it was a poor argument to settle the question of New Zealand's joining the 'Australian Federation on the score of distance, because Perth is further from Sydney and Melbourne than the latter capitals are from Auckland and Wellington. Moreover, seas unite, and do not divide, people of the same race. NonLord Kitchener finds that as Australia and New Zealand must be taken together in war, they must be a-ssbci-ated in the preparation for it.' The advice which suits one, there.orej is appropriate to the others. It would lie ahsurb tq say that these must draw IS-w Zealand into the Commonwealth. '-We do not believe anythin<>l the kmd, but not until each <rets its baptism of fire will there be any needful pressure for union. Lord Kitchener's programme will prepare the way. There will be a combining in the neat- future for the mutual defence of a mighty empire, and this ■will be a long stop forward.'?